TECHNOLOGY REPORT | VACUUM & MANUAL MANIPULATORS
The control panel replaces its
previous technology and is available in three versions: as a rigid version, with continuously adjustable working height or as a version for adjusting the working height as well as tilting the control panel. With the optional adjustment and tilt function, it allows ergonomic handling even in high or low positions. Thanks to its continued success, Schmalz celebrated the groundbreaking of its Phase I expansion to its Raleigh North Carolina, headquarters in May. The company has been growing
rapidly since it was founded in Raleigh 22 years ago. The existing building of its US headquarters was only completed in July 2016; and due to continued, rapid growth over the past three years, the first significant expansion is already being executed ahead of schedule. The new construction will triple the size
of its existing facility and is scheduled for completion and ready to move-in at the end of the year, 2021. The investments to date in the Raleigh location total well over $14m and more investments are planned in the coming years. The investments it has made over the last few years have led to a tripling of the staff and will lead up to 62 more new jobs over the coming years. The additional building will provide
more room for assembly and testing of the growing robotic automation and material handling systems product offerings. “This new setup will decisively improve
the overall material flow at Schmalz from parts receipt, to manufacturing, testing, packaging and dispatch of the finished robot gripping tools and manipulator handling systems,” said John Feutz, VP, Strategic Operations, Schmalz. In a further collaboration, Schmalz
partnered with Zimmer Group in April this year to launch Match - a multi-functional end-of-arm platform equipped with a range of functions and universal communication interfaces. Zimmer Group is known for its mechanical grippers while Schmalz is the collaboration combines the advantages of both in gripping technologies. Designed to be compatible with all common lightweight and conventional robots, Match can be mounted to a robot flange and set up quickly with a few manual adjustments. It has a mechanical interface, pneumatic/vacuum connection and electrical interfaces and can be used with a variety of robot types.
The flexibility of the system gives the
user access to a range of applications, whether they are with mobile robots, collaborative robots or other types of automation, across production, assembly, warehouse logistics, shipping and laboratory automation operations. In addition to automated changeover using a gripper docking station, items can also be exchanged manually within seconds. Thanks to the ergonomic click system integrated within end effector being changed, it is possible to carry out a manual gripper change using one hand. Zimmer Group and Schmalz each have
their own systems that the user can draw upon for digital integration. In addition to the SCM communication module (master gateway), it has a guideZ setup software for further configuration of the gripper, and Schmalz Connect Suite for diagnostics of IO-Link devices in the cloud. The advantages of Match includes: suitability for a wide range of conventional, lightweight and collaborative robots, the capability for either automated or manual gripper exchanges, compatible with mechanical or vacuum end effectors and a long service life even in continuous automated operation. “This collaboration created something unique: a modular system that the customer can use to meet various requirements and handle diverse applications in robotics,” said Achim Gauß, managing director, Zimmer Group. Dr. Kurt Schmalz, managing partner
J. Schmalz added that Match is the first cooperation project between handling technology specialists Zimmer Group and J. Schmalz, and a multi-functional end-of-arm platform that is fit for the future.
“Whether mobile and collaborative
robotics or fully automated applications, one flexible system gives the user access to a nearly unlimited range of uses from production and assembly to warehouse logistics, shipping and even laboratory automation,” says Schmalz. Another collaboration recently reported
in Hoist magazine is euroTECH, vacuum, lifting and transport technology, which has partnered with Storemaster, to develop a flat vacuum handling device for heavy-duty sheet metal storage facilities. Dieter Paul, owner, Storemaster,
was looking for a lifting device, for his MasterTower warehouse, because the metal sheets needed to be stored quickly and securely, even high up by a single worker without a ladder. In order to utilise the available space
as efficiently as possible, the new lifting device had to be very flat. He contacted euroTECH after seeing a lifting device from its eT-Hover range and it was customised in a flat format, 350 mm tall. The eT-Hover-panel lifts small, medium-sized and large metal sheets with a size of up to 4x2 metres and a weight of up to 750 kg. It can also handle other vacuum-sealed panels made from wood, plastic, and stone using specially manufactured suction plates. The operating functions of eT-Hover comprise; a thumb switch which initiates the upward and downward movement, a button which activates the suction and ventilation functions. The operating handle also manoeuvres
the telescope arm, which can be bent in intervals of 22.5°, to an ergonomically optimal operating position. This allows
R The euroTECH eT-Hover-panel for Storemaster
www.hoistmagazine.com | July 2021 | 33
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